EP3227226A1 - Method and apparatus for closing receptacles - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for closing receptaclesInfo
- Publication number
- EP3227226A1 EP3227226A1 EP15820612.8A EP15820612A EP3227226A1 EP 3227226 A1 EP3227226 A1 EP 3227226A1 EP 15820612 A EP15820612 A EP 15820612A EP 3227226 A1 EP3227226 A1 EP 3227226A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- receptacles
- mouth
- receptacle
- neck
- closures
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 19
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 6
- 239000002775 capsule Substances 0.000 abstract description 5
- 238000004659 sterilization and disinfection Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000001954 sterilising effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000007664 blowing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000036512 infertility Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000012815 thermoplastic material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 241001122767 Theaceae Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000004500 asepsis Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000721 bacterilogical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013043 chemical agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000016213 coffee Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000013353 coffee beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000011389 fruit/vegetable juice Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002906 microbiologic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011169 microbiological contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000020124 milk-based beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000008486 nectar Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002265 prevention Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002035 prolonged effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000014214 soft drink Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000013616 tea Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000009424 underpinning Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
- B67B3/00—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying caps
- B67B3/20—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying caps by applying and rotating preformed threaded caps
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
- B67B3/00—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying caps
- B67B3/26—Applications of control, warning, or safety devices in capping machinery
- B67B3/262—Devices for controlling the caps
- B67B3/264—Devices for controlling the caps positioning of the caps
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
- B67B5/00—Applying protective or decorative covers to closures; Devices for securing bottle closures with wire
- B67B5/03—Applying protective or decorative covers to closures, e.g. by forming in situ
- B67B5/032—Dies for securing overcaps
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
- B67B2201/00—Indexing codes relating to constructional features of closing machines
- B67B2201/01—Orienting closure means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
- B67B2201/00—Indexing codes relating to constructional features of closing machines
- B67B2201/03—Indexing codes relating to constructional features of closing machines applying two closures on a container
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
- B67B2201/00—Indexing codes relating to constructional features of closing machines
- B67B2201/08—Aseptic features
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for closing receptacles.
- the reference sector is the bottling of so-called "sensitive" food products, i.e. products that are particularly sensitive to bacteriological contamination and oxidation, such as, for example, isotonic drinks, juices, nectars, soft drinks, tea, milk-based drinks, coffee-based drinks, etc., for which the prevention of possible microbiological contamination throughout all packaging stages is of fundamental importance.
- sensitive food products i.e. products that are particularly sensitive to bacteriological contamination and oxidation, such as, for example, isotonic drinks, juices, nectars, soft drinks, tea, milk-based drinks, coffee-based drinks, etc.
- Packaging lines using aseptic technology are already known, wherein the various operations take place in a controlled contamination environment, so that the bottled products can be stored for a prolonged period of time and have chemical/physical and organoleptic stability even at room temperature.
- a "conventional" aseptic bottling line includes:
- the main drawback of conventional lines is related to the need to have to sterilize the container once it has been formed and to maintain the sterilized state thereof throughout all subsequent operations, for example the filling and capping operations.
- the technical task underpinning the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for closing receptacles, which obviate the drawbacks of the prior art as cited above.
- an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for closing receptacles having small dimensions and a simplified structure with respect to the prior art.
- a further aim of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for closing receptacles which is easier and more rapid to sterilize.
- a further aim of the present invention is to provide a closing method for receptacles in which the sterilization times are shortened and the operations for maintaining the sterility are simplified.
- an elevator door comprising:
- a tightening unit for tightening the closures configured to screw each concave closure to the neck of the corresponding receptacle
- the application unit for applying the closures comprising an isolator adapted to define a third controlled contamination environment containing at least the neck of the receptacles.
- the controlled-contamination environment preferably has a volume that extends into a restricted zone about the neck of the receptacles.
- the controlled contamination environment preferably extends up to containing at least the "bague", or “finish” of the receptacles, the body of the receptacles remaining external of the controlled contamination environment.
- the application unit of the closures preferably comprises a plurality of guides arranged so as to drop the closures from above onto the mouth of the receptacles and at least an inclined plane able to exert pressure on the closures positioned on the mouth of the receptacles.
- the tightening unit is preferably a non-aseptic capper.
- At least a star conveyor is preferably interposed between the application unit and the tightening unit.
- the transfer star conveyor bears a plurality of pliers operatively active on the neck of the receptacles for preventing crushing of the receptacles.
- the step of resting and the step of pressing each concave closure on the mouth of the corresponding receptacle occur in a controlled contamination environment, while the step of screwing each concave closure to the neck of the corresponding receptacle occurs externally of the controlled contamination environment.
- the step of resting each concave closure on the mouth of the corresponding receptacle is preferably done by the "a la volee" or "on the fly” gripping method.
- the step of pressing each concave closure on the mouth of the corresponding receptacle is preferably done by use of an inclined plane encountered by the receptacle.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a production apparatus of receptacles, according to the present invention, in a schematic plan view
- FIG. 2a-2b respectively illustrate a rest and pressure step and a blocking step of a closure on a receptacle in the closing apparatus of figure 1 ;
- figure 3 illustrates a concave closure to be applied to a receptacle.
- number 1 denotes a device for closing receptacles 2.
- the receptacles 2 are made of a thermoplastic material, preferably PET.
- concave closure 10 is meant a capsule or a cap comprising a base 10a and a lateral surface 10b which extends from the base 10a and defines therewith a cavity (see figure 3).
- the closure 10 On the opposite side of the base 10a, the closure 10 has an opening destined to accommodate the mouth 2a of a receptacle 2.
- the concave closure 10 has an annular ribbing projecting from the base 10a internally of the cavity and able to engage with the inside of the neck of the receptacle 2 in such a way as to guarantee the hermetic seal.
- document WO2009/027227 describes and illustrates a concave closure 10 applicable to the receptacle by means of the method described herein.
- the closing apparatus 1 is preferably of the rotating carousel type. Alternatively, the closing apparatus 1 is of a linear type.
- the closing apparatus 1 comprises at least two distinct units: an application unit 3 of the concave closures 10 to the receptacles 2 and a tightening unit 4 of the closures 10 already applied on the receptacles 2.
- the application unit 3 of the closures 10 is configured for resting and pressing the closures 10 onto the mouth 2a of the receptacles 2.
- each closure 10 is preferably rested on the mouth 2a of the corresponding receptacle 2 and is then pressed on the mouth 2a.
- the closure 10 is dropped from above on the mouth 2a of the receptacle 2 by means of guides. In the bottling sector, this is referred-to as "a la volee", or "on the fly".
- the pressing of the closure 10 on the mouth 2a is done by means of an inclined plane P encountered by the receptacle 2 during movement thereof.
- the inclined plane P is the lower plane of a circular sector located above the mouths 2a of the receptacles 2, as illustrated in figure 1 .
- the application unit 3 for applying the closures 10 comprises an isolator 5 adapted to define a controlled contamination environment 6 containing at least the neck 2b of the receptacles 2.
- the controlled-contamination environment 6 preferably has a volume that extends into a restricted zone about the neck 2b of the receptacles 2.
- the controlled contamination environment 6 extends up to containing at least the "bague” or “finish” 2c of the receptacles 2 while the body 2d of the receptacles is external of the environment 6, as illustrated in figure 2a.
- the controlled-contamination environment 6 extends up to containing also a zone just below the finish 2c, so that the majority of the body 2d of the receptacles 2 is external of the environment 6.
- the technical term "bague” or “finish” relates to a circumferential protuberance of the neck 2b of the receptacle 2, located below the threaded zone of the neck 2b.
- each closure 10 is screwed to the neck 2b of the corresponding receptacle 2 in such a way as to seal it and make the seal definitive.
- the lateral surface 10b of the closure 10 is internally threaded so as to be screwed to the external thread of the neck
- the tightening unit 4 preferably consists of a known-type non-aseptic capper.
- a receptacle movement system is preferably included between the application unit 3 and the tightening unit 4 of the capsules, so that reciprocal contact between the system and the receptacles is avoided.
- this movement system comprises at least a star conveyor bearing a plurality of pliers operatively active on the neck 2b of the receptacles 2.
- the movement without reciprocal contact has the aim of preventing the crushing of the receptacles 2 which might cause the raising of the closures 10.
- a first step illustrated in figure 2a, the concave closure 10 is rested on the mouth 2a of the corresponding receptacle 2 gripped "a la volee” or "on the fly".
- the first step takes place in the controlled contamination environment 6.
- a second step illustrated in figure 2a, the concave closure 10 is pressed on the mouth 2a of the corresponding receptacle 2 in such a way as to create a temporary physical barrier to the entry of contaminants into the receptacle 2.
- a pressure is exerted by the inclined plane P.
- This second step also takes place in the controlled contamination environment 6.
- a third step illustrated in figure 2b, the concave closure 10 is screwed on the neck 2b of the corresponding receptacle 2 so as to seal it.
- the third step takes place after the second step, but externally of the controlled contamination environment 6.
- such third step is done using a traditional capper 4, i.e. not aseptic (thus in a non-sterile environment).
- the separation of the rest-closure steps of the closures from the screwing-on step of the capsules enables predisposing a controlled- contamination environment having smaller dimensions with respect to the known solutions.
- the isolator only surrounds a restricted zone about the neck of the receptacles located in the application unit of the closures.
- the pressure therefore has the aim of maintaining the asepsis without having recourse to steam, as occurs in the solution shown in EP0447759.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
- Sealing Of Jars (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ITPR20140080 | 2014-12-01 | ||
PCT/IB2015/059159 WO2016088005A1 (en) | 2014-12-01 | 2015-11-27 | Method and apparatus for closing receptacles |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3227226A1 true EP3227226A1 (en) | 2017-10-11 |
EP3227226B1 EP3227226B1 (en) | 2020-01-08 |
Family
ID=52293048
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP15820612.8A Active EP3227226B1 (en) | 2014-12-01 | 2015-11-27 | Method and apparatus for closing receptacles |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20170362070A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3227226B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2016088005A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN107001020B (en) * | 2014-12-30 | 2019-03-01 | Gea普洛克玛柯股份公司 | Device and method for container filling |
DE102015112790A1 (en) * | 2015-08-04 | 2017-02-09 | Khs Gmbh | Method for cleaning and / or disinfecting closing elements of a closing machine, closing machine and closing element |
CN109626290A (en) * | 2018-12-13 | 2019-04-16 | 湖北枫林酒业酿造有限公司 | Normotopia mechanism after a kind of bottle upper shield |
Family Cites Families (23)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1780639A (en) * | 1926-12-28 | 1930-11-04 | Earl S Burdick | Bottle-capping machine |
US2190509A (en) * | 1936-02-05 | 1940-02-13 | American Seal Kap Corp | Apparatus for capping bottles |
JPS6181793A (en) * | 1984-08-31 | 1986-04-25 | ルブリゾル ジエネテイクス インコ−ポレイテツド | Dismantled t-dna |
JPS62135184A (en) * | 1985-11-28 | 1987-06-18 | ザ・コカ−コ−ラ・カンパニ− | Method and device for manufacturing bottled drink |
FR2598698A1 (en) * | 1986-05-15 | 1987-11-20 | Calais Claudine | Automatic capper for containers |
DE4008847A1 (en) | 1990-03-20 | 1991-09-26 | Granini Gmbh | PLANT FOR ASEPTICALLY FILLING AND ASEPTICALLY SEALING BOTTLES |
US5301488A (en) * | 1992-11-06 | 1994-04-12 | National Instrument Company, Inc. | Programmable filling and capping machine |
PT951437E (en) * | 1997-01-07 | 2001-09-28 | Gea Finnah Gmbh | METHOD AND MACHINE FOR THE PREPARATION OF BOTTLES FOR FILLING AND FILLING THE BOTTLES |
DE19817735C1 (en) * | 1998-04-21 | 1999-11-11 | Fehland Engineering Gmbh | Beverage filling device |
DE102005032322A1 (en) * | 2005-07-08 | 2007-01-11 | Sig Technology Ag | Method and machine for closing bottles with sterile caps |
US7530374B2 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2009-05-12 | Advanced Scientifics, Inc. | System for filling a container |
ITBO20070071A1 (en) * | 2007-02-07 | 2008-08-08 | Marchesini Group Spa | MACHINE FOR FILLING AND CLOSING OF CONTAINERS |
ITBO20070176A1 (en) * | 2007-03-14 | 2008-09-15 | Marchesini Group Spa | PACKAGING MACHINE FOR DISCOID GEOMETRY ITEMS WITH RIGID CYLINDRICAL CONTAINERS |
DE102007041365B4 (en) | 2007-08-30 | 2014-07-17 | Bericap Gmbh & Co. Kg | Screw cap with guarantee band |
DE102008026632A1 (en) | 2008-06-04 | 2009-12-10 | Khs Ag | sealing |
DE102008030268B3 (en) * | 2008-06-19 | 2010-02-04 | Arzneimittel Gmbh Apotheker Vetter & Co. Ravensburg | Method for filling dual-chamber systems in pre-sterilizable carrier systems and pre-sterilisable carrier system |
DE102008034389A1 (en) * | 2008-07-23 | 2010-01-28 | Khs Ag | Implementation and container treatment machine with such feedthroughs |
DE102008044696A1 (en) * | 2008-08-28 | 2010-03-04 | Khs Ag | lock orientation |
DE102008056242A1 (en) * | 2008-11-06 | 2010-05-12 | Krones Ag | Closure device for containers with sterile space |
IT1395535B1 (en) | 2009-07-31 | 2012-09-28 | Gea Procomac Spa | METHOD AND PLANT TO PRODUCE, FILL AND CLOSE CONTAINERS |
IT1401254B1 (en) * | 2010-06-14 | 2013-07-18 | Marchesini Group Spa | FILLER AND BOTTLE FILLING MACHINE |
DE102011103837A1 (en) * | 2011-06-01 | 2012-12-06 | Khs Gmbh | Treatment machine for containers |
EP2728361B1 (en) * | 2011-06-30 | 2016-03-23 | Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation | Stopper opening/closing mechanism and automatic analysis system provided therewith |
-
2015
- 2015-11-27 WO PCT/IB2015/059159 patent/WO2016088005A1/en active Application Filing
- 2015-11-27 EP EP15820612.8A patent/EP3227226B1/en active Active
- 2015-11-27 US US15/529,934 patent/US20170362070A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20170362070A1 (en) | 2017-12-21 |
EP3227226B1 (en) | 2020-01-08 |
WO2016088005A1 (en) | 2016-06-09 |
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